Laminated copy unit for stereoscopic pictures



March 19, 1957 J. A. OGLE 2,785,976

LAMINATED COPY UNIT FQR STEREOSCOPIC PICTURES Original Filed March 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Niimkwwmmm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ INVENTOR. JvMe-'s OGLE 147 TOP/VE Y .GTTORNEY J. A. OG LE March 19, 1957 LAMINATED COPY UNIT FOR STEREOSCOPIC PICTURES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 26, 1949 `\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\wwwwww\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\w\ v INVENToR. Jia/wes ,4 OGLE BVM' nited States Patent() LAMINATED COPY UNIT FOR STEREOSCOPIC PICTURES James A. Ogle, Phoenixville, Pa., assignor to Sperry Rand Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Original application March 26, 1949, Serial No. 83,726, now Patent No. 2,652,326, dated September 15, 1953. Divided and this application September 30, 1952, Serial No. 312,210

1 Claim. (Cl. 96-81) This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 83,726, filed March 26, 1949, now Patent No. 2,652,326 issued September 15, 1953, and relates to the article which is the product of the method forming the subject matter of that application.

In making stereoscopic pictures by photographic reproduction or printing from an original or master picture, one of the diiicult problems has been to obtain proper optical registry of the stereoscopic elements of the reproduction or copy print with the lenticular elements of the viewing screen, and to procure optical agreement between the original and`the reproduction in their relations to their respective lenticular screens.

The said application teaches a method control in the successive steps of the operation which will assure exact multiple reproductions of the original picture and the obtaining and keeping in the final article the same registry `between the screen and picture that there was between the image and the screen in the camera at the time of taking the original picture.

That invention is characterized by an absolute fixation or control of conditions from the initial photographic exposure in the making of the original picture until the exposure for the reproduction is effected, and by maintaining constant thereafter the same relationship between the reproduced picture and its viewing screen, as existed when the exposure for the reproduction was made.

Means are provided in accordance with that disclosure to hold the dimensions of the master picture xed so that there can be no change in the `spatial relation of the component stereoscopic elements of the picture. That picture, which is thus restrained from physical change, is, when used for reproduction, caused to form an image, either by contact printing or by projection printing, upon a print or copy tilm which is fixed or bonded to a viewing screen having similar lenticulations to those of the photographic screen, preferably the same lenticulations. Thus the picture is exactly reproduced in the proper or desired proportions. In the case of contact printing the proportions will be the same, while in projection printing the proportions may be controlled.

The method contemplates the making of an original photographic transparency which is a composite of successive stereoscopic elements obtained by progressive exposures at constantly changing angles produced by socalled scanning, that is, relative movement of the camera and object across the photographic tield, the image elements at each instantposition being produced by a lenticular screen, preferably one having cylindrical lenticulations so that the elements are lines. When the picture is developed .and is viewed through a lenticular screen such as was used for making `the stereoscopic image, the angle subtended by the pupillary distance of the observer will determine the two -sets of stereoscopic elements which each eye sees, and a composite of the respective sets produces an image upon the respective eyes, the two images differing in angular projection by the subtended angle aforesaid. It is the mental resolution of these two images which produces the three dimensional effect.

For accurate and dependable unlimited reproduction of this original picture, it is essential (l) that the original be absolutely stable in form and dimensions, and (2) that the copy print be made with a definite relationship to a viewing screen and that that relationship be kept.

With these ends in view, the invention further contemplates that each copy lm will be bonded to a viewing screen which may be and preferably will be `a precise duplicate of the photographic screen used in the original exposure, .and the master picture -is caused to produce an image of itself upon the sensitized gelatin of the copy lm which is then developed while bonded to the viewing screen. Any dimensional changes in the print are partaken of also by the screen, since the two are xedly bonded together, and the visual chracteristics are therefore unaffected by dimensional changesl It is this developed picture permanently xed on the back of a screen member which constitutes the inal print, although customarily a diffusing screen is added to avoid undesirable specular interference, being laid loosely upon the emulsion side and the assembly being secured together by suitable means, such as an edge binding tape.

The screen members are composed of a suitable transparent plastic, such as cellulose acetate, which is capable of being molded when cold and is dimensionally suliciently stable for the purpose. Since the photographic lenticular screen and the original picture are used repeatedly, it is the practice to mount both of them upon a glass backing member, the lenticulations of the screen being formed, as by hydraulic pressure, after the plastic is attached to the plate so as to assure permanency in the lenticulations as they are formed, and the photographic film for the original picture being mounted upon its glass backing member before exposure and developing, thus making a photographic plate of permanent size and shape.l

Preferably a color film is used, and since the pictures `are reproduced and viewed by transmitted light, it is necessary that their transparency be unimpaired. For this reason the antihalation layer in the lm which is opaque, must be removed in the developing and xing. Since this method involves the permanent bonding of the acetate base of the unexposed lilm to the glass in case of the original and to the acetate screen in case of the copies, it is necessary that the antihalation layer be in front of the acetate base so that the liquors have access to it.

The method and the product produced thereby will now be more fully explained in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

' Fig. 1 is a sectional View of the photographic screen assembly used in making the original stereoscopic picture, this view and most of the following views being diagrammatic in that they are dimensionally distorted to illustrate principles.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the original color tilm assembly.

Fig. 3 is a combination view of the parts shown in Figs. l and 2 assembled in a plate holder and as mounted in a camera.

Fig. 4 is an exploded sectional view of the elements which make up the copy unit.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a corner of the copy tilm which is shown in section in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic showing of the apparatus and method employed in making the copy unit.

Fig. 7 is a sectional diagrammatic showing of the operation of printing by photographic projection.

Fig. 8 is a sectional illustration showing the copy unit in the developing liquor.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the final product.

Fig. l is a face view of the final product containing an `illustrative three dimensional picture.

The original photograph, according to the particular steps and apparatus contemplated in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, is taken upon a glass mounted color film as shown separately in Fig. 2 and in combination with its screen in Fig. 3. The film is cemented to the glass mount 1 by a layer 2 of suitable cement, such as Casco cement, the film acetate base 3 being toward the glass and the sensitized emulsion 4 being on the outer side. Between the emulsion and the acetate base is the antihalation layer 5, which, as above explained, is removed during the developing. Also ordinarily there is an anti-curl layer on the back of the acetate base which constitutes the cemented surface. The anti-curl layer is not shown in these figures. It will be understood that the dimensions are shown disproportionately for the purpose of illustration.

In the camera this photographic plate assembly is combined with a lenticulated screen such as shown in Fig. l. This consists of a sheet 6 of cellulose acetate which is permanently attached to a glass back 7 by a suitable adhesive 8, such as gelatin and glacial acetic acid. The outer face of the acetate sheet is formed into very fine contiguous, substantially sernicylindrical convolutions 9 constituting lenses and making the sheet into a lineating screen. In the actual screen the lenticulations 9 are much finer than those shown, being as many as sixty or more to the inch. They may be formed after the mounting upon the glass, as in a hydraulic press, thus assuring their dimensional and geometrical permanency.

To make the photograph, the photographic plate and the screen above described are mounted in contiguous relation in the camera in a plate holder 10, as shown in Fig. 3, with the'V emulsion side of the plate and the lenticular side of the screen toward the camera lens. The distance of the plate holder from the lens is such that the image of the object being photographed is brought to a focus on the emulsion 4, there being the double refraction of the camera lens and of the screen lenses. Because of the latter refraction the image is resolved into a series of fine lines which constitute the sterescopic elements of the picture. The camera is relatively traversed in front of the object at right angles to the lenticulations, so that the effect is a succession of instant positional exposures with linear components of the image moving laterally on the film reversely to the direction of relative movement of the camera. When the developed picture is viewed through a screen like the photographic screen, the set of lines constituting the stereoscopic elements for any instant position of the camera, collectively constitute the monocular pictorial representation of the object when viewed from the same relative position that the camera lens had in forming that image, for the path of the rays is the same in either direction through the screen.V

When the composite of those stereoscopic elements is forming an image upon the retina of one eye of the observer, another image is formed upon the retina of the other eye by the composite of the lines that were exposed when the camera lens and plate had relatively moved the pupillary or interocular distance. In other words, the two images have a difference in angularity corresponding to the angle subtended by the pupillary distance at the point of Viewing, and thus aV stereoscopic effect is produced. l

It will be understood that after exposure. the plate is taken out from the plate holder and developed in the usual way, but Without affecting the bonding to the glass back. Thus dimensions ofthe picture are held fixed and identity of prints isthereby assured. The original .picture thus formed is used as a transparency in reproduction, the antihalation layer being removed, as above stated,

due to the fact that it is in fr-ont of the acetate base and the developing liquors have access to it.

As above indicated, the original picture may be checked after finishing by viewing it through the original screen or a duplicate thereof, and the assembly of Fig. 3 may be considered as for that purpose as well as for the purpose of photographing, depending upon whether the picture is actual or potential.

The construction of the copy or reproduction unit will now be considered, with particular reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6. Initially and during the printing stage, this unit consists of three laminated elements, namely, the photographic color film, the acetate screen and a metal die which molds the lenticulations in the screen. These elements are shown in their separated states in Fig. The film 11, as in the original picture, has its emulsion 12 backed by an acetate base 13 with the antihalation layer 14 between them. On the back of the acetate base 13 is an anti-curl layer 13a. The film'is disposed upon an acetate sheet 15 Vwhich in turn is laid upon a metal die 16, for example, chromium plated copper, having mold configurations in itsface which are theV complement or reverse of the lenticulations 9 in the photographic screen.

These elements are united to form a laminated unit and the lenticulations are formed at the same time in the outer face of the acetate sheet 15 by passing the elements between pressure rolls 17, as indicated schematically in Fig. 6. The film has its anti-curl side toward the screen member 1S, and for effective bonding purposes a marginal portion of the anti-curl back 13a is removed, as shown in Fig. 5 and as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 4.v Thus in that marginal area the acetate base is exposed and is brought into direct contact with the contiguous face of the acetate 15.

Just as the three elements enter the bite of the rolls 17, a puddle 18 of a suitable solvent, such as acetone, is introduced on both sides of the sheet 15. In practice an apparatus, not shown, is used which is power operated and controlled by a pedal, the operation through the successive steps being automatically continuous. First the three elements in their laminated relation are moved up 4to the bite of the rolls where momentarily they are stopped. At that instant two solenoid operated valves open and deliver acetone through tubes leading to the intervening spaces immediately above and below the sheet 15. After a suitable interval the mechanism resumes operation and the elements are passed between the rollers. The acetone softens the superficial areas of the acetate 15 and the pressure of the rollers effects molecular union between the acetate base 13 where it is exposed in the marginal region of the film 11 and the contiguous surface of the acetate 15, and optical contact between the anti-curl back 13a of the lm and the acetate 15, thereby permanently bonding the film to the acetate sheet with the emulsion side of the film outward.

At the same time the acetone somewhat softens the face of the acetate sheet contiguous to the die and under the pressure of the rolls the configurations of the die are molded into the face of the acetate, thus converting the acetate into a viewing screen. The die and screen are frictionally bonded and ordinarily the film-screen combination is not stripped from the die until after the printing of the picture.v

While this film-screen-die combination package is adapted and is ordinarily used for making copies or prints from a master picture, in which application it is further illustrated and will be described, it is capable of use as the basis for an original picture where reproduction or multiplication of copies is not desired. For this purpose it is used in the plate holder of the camera in place of the glass plate assembly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The exposure is made through the photographic screen of Fig. l, proper registry having been made, just as in Fig. 3, and the film is then developed, the antihalation layer being removed during the developing, the screen,

with the stereoscopic picture permanently upon it being stripped from the die before developing. The screen then becomes the viewing screen and at the proper view ing distance, which is substantially the focal distance of the camera lens, the picture as viewed through the screen has depth perception or a stereoscopic effect. So long as the die is attached, the screen with its bonded picture is rigidly held against dimensional change, and thereafter the relative relationship of the screen and picture is unchangeable.

When, as is more usual, the color film and viewing screen combination is used for the making of a reproduction of the master picture, the printing operation is performed by any suitable photographic printing method, contact or projection.

As shown in Fig. 7, the master picture is mounted in the projectingy end of a photographic projection printer with a ditl'using glass 19 and a source of light immediately behind it, while the copy iilm unit is mounted at the printing end on the opposite side of the projection lens 20. The position of the copy unit relative to the original or master picture is determined by pads and gauges on which the copy unit is piaced and which have been carefully preset to bring the stereoscopic elements of the original picture into the same optical relation to the lenticulations of the screen 15 that they had to those of the screen 6. A photographic image of the original picture is thus projected upon the emulsion 12, after which exposure the iilm and screen are stripped from the copper die 16, and the picture is chemically developed, which operation is indicated by Fig. 8 in which the exposed lm and acetate screen are shown in developer liquor in a pan 21.

When developed and dried, the print with the viewing screen attached becomes the final product. As a commercial article the package is customarily completed by the addition of an opalescent acetate diffusion sheet 22 which is laid on the emulsion side of the article and is secured by a binding tape 23.

This nal product or package is shown in Figs. 9 and l0. In Fig. l0 a picture is represented the subject of which has the third dimension. A monocular vision of the picture is all that is represented in this figure, but it will be understood that with the picture composed of stereoscopic lineated elements and viewed at the proper distance through the screen 15, the third dimension becomes apparent andas the angle of vision changes by pelative lateral movement of the picture, the angle of projection of the bottles in the background relative to the tumbler in the foreground changes accordingly, while maintaining the stereoscopic etect. In other words, there will at all times be two sets of linear elements 0f the photograph which were taken at an angle to each other corresponding to the angle subtended by the pupillary distance of the observer at the proper viewing distance.

It will be obvious that the laminated article which is the subject of the appended claim may be otherwise constituted, the essential being that the acetate sheet which forms the viewing screen be sensitized on one side and engaged on the other side so as eiectively to be dimensionally stabilized until photographically exposed.

What is claimed is:

An article of manufacture comprising a photographic lrn upon which a master stereoscopic image is to be reproduced, said lm including a light sensitized gelatine emulsion layer supported on a rst transparent sheet of cellulose acetate, a second transparent sheet of cellulose acetate, one face of said second transp-arent sheet forming a surface to which the non-emulsion side of said rst transparent sheet is adhesively bonded, the opposed face of said second transparent sheet forming a linearly lenticulated surface predetermined to precisely register with the lineal components of said master stereoscopic image when reproduced on said film, and stabilizing means for preventing dimensional variations from occurring in said first and second sheets of plastic material, said stabilizing means comprising a dimensionally stable metal member having a surface complementary to said linearly lenticulated surface of said second transparent sheet and frictionally bonded in intimate itted contact therewith so as to be readily detachable from said second transparent sheet without altering said lenticulated surface, whereby deviations of said lenticulated surface from its precise registry with said lineal image components are prevented so as to assure that said image as reproduced will be represented in three dimensions when viewed through said second transparent sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,707,157 Berthon Mar. 26, 1929 1,854,864 Semenitz Apr. 19, 1932 1,989,553 Kanolt Ian. 29, 1935 2,219,158 Van Benschoten Oct. 22, 1940 2,543,073 Stevens Feb. 27, 1951 2,652,326 Ogle Sept. l5, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 360,845 Great Britain Nov. ll, 1931 

